By Sulaiman Kauki
KAMPALA. With just hours to this year’s Idd -ul-Adhuha festivities Muslim humanitarian organisations are making last minute preparations to ensure that the needy also enjoy the festivities . This year’s Idd -ul-Adhuha will fall on Wednesday, May 27.
According to Hajjat Shaniah Kigozi, the country director of One Ummah Uganda, her organisation plans to slaughter at least 400 head of cattle, goats (90) , and sheep(50).
“ The high cost of animals at the farm and rising fuel prices have in one way or the other affected the number of animals we had planned to slaughter ,for example , a cow which was costing Shs1.5million last year now costs Shs2 million ,” she said during an interview on Sunday
As a result , the demand for animals to slaughter on Idd Day has also caused a hike in prices of beef in urban centres with a kilogramme buying between Shs20,000 and Shs 23,000 ,down from Shs18,000 five months ago.
According to Mr Gibril Sekasi, who operates a butcher in Kinaawa-Kyengera in Wakiso District, beef prices started rising last year during the Christmas season, from Shs15, 000 to Shs23, 000 .
Dr Idd Sirajuddin Menya , the chairperson of Social Humanitarian Aid Delivery –Uganda(Shadu) ,said they have faced numerous challenges while sourcing livestock for Idd .
“Outbreaks of animal disease have led to huge losses due to limited access to veterinary services in some regions. Rising fuel costs have increased transportation expenses, while market prices for healthy animals have climbed compared to previous years,” he said
He said his organisation alone will slaughter 2500 cows –the same number slaughtered. Only 1000 sheep have been procured , down from 5000 slaughtered last year.
Last year, SHADU slaughtered 2500 cows compared to 1200 in 2024 . The sheep were 5000 up from 2000 slaughtered in 2024.
Mr Habib Wasige ,a liaison officer at Sena Foundation said they are going to slaughter 400 cows and distribute the meat in the districts of Kotido, Luweero, Kitgum, and Wakiso District.
He however said animals this year have been very few due to high prices in livestock markets compared to last year.
“A cow in Karamoja which weighs 120 kg costs Shs1.7m and the prices vary depending on the district. Prices in the Central Region are very high,” he said.
Sheikh Ahmad Ssentamu Walakira, the programmes coordinator at At Humanitarian Efforts And Relief organisation –Uganda(HEAR-Uganda), said by weekend, the organisation had received only 482 cows from their partners, Islamic Relief Netherlands and Islamitische Gemeenchap Milli Görüş Zuid Nederland( IGMG), with the latter expected to donate more 100 cows before Idd day .
He said the beef will be distributed to needy people at mosques, orphanage centres , prisons ,hospitals ,police stations in the districts of Luweero, Wakiso, Butambala, and Kampala City.
However, some organisations are likely not to slaughter animals this round, citing the wars in the Middle East that have affected their donors.
“Individuals who care for others are the ones who facilitate our programmes, but when there are wars in their countries, their focus shifts to needy people in their local communities,” Issa Katungulu, the coordinator of Muslim Humanitarian agencies like African Friendship Association and Diyant Foundation, said
Idd -ul – Adhuha, is different from Idd-ul-Fitr, which was celebrated on March 20 at the end of the holy month of Ramadhan. Unlike Idd- ul-Fitr , this Wednesday ’s Idd prayer is performed early in the day to enable those with intention to slaughter animals to have meat for lunch and traditionally lasts for four days –meaning the festivities will continue up to May 30. The faithful are supposed to leave home without a meal until after the completion of the prayers.